International Le Refuge

International Le Refuge covers about 3 hectares of hillside, at 850 m altitude, on the slopes of the Col d’Aspin, in the Aure valley. The site runs alongside a river, 1.8 km from the centre of Arreau, where the shops are, and 15 km from the resort of Saint-Lary-Soulan. It is reached from the A64 via exit 15 (Capvern), then along the D 929 towards Arreau. The site is aimed at guests looking for peace and quiet, nature and mountain sports.

Rated 3 stars, the campsite has around a hundred pitches, some of which are rented by mobile home owners. The touring pitches are marked out, numbered and partly shaded, with a 220 V electric hook-up. Privately owned mobile homes are offered for rent. The campsite describes itself as accessible to people with reduced mobility, with equipped washrooms open day and night apart from two one-hour breaks for cleaning.

Opening period: the website presents the site as a campsite open all year, but specifies that winter mainly concerns mobile home owners. Campsite reception is announced from 1 July to 31 August, from 8.30am to 8pm. At the time we consulted it, the home page showed the campsite as closed, with 2027 rates and bookings from January 2027. A touring stay in winter, whether on a pitch or in a rental, is therefore not confirmed: you need to call the campsite before heading up.

Four ski resorts are nearby: Val-Louron, Peyragudes, Saint-Lary and Piau-Engaly.

In summer, from 1 July to 31 August, reception is by the pool. This is also where the snack bar operates, with a bread service and ice packs for the cool box. The restaurant hosts themed meals, and dances are held from time to time. Wifi access is chargeable.

The touring pitches have an electric hook-up: bring an extension lead and plugs that meet European standards. The washrooms include a toilet, a shower and basins suitable for people with disabilities. The website publishes the rates, the rental contract and the mobile home inventory online as PDFs. Outside the summer period, no restaurant or shop service is announced on site: supplies are bought in Arreau, less than 2 km away.

On site, summer revolves around the pool, table tennis, volleyball, pétanque and fishing, with an occasional belote tournament and an outdoor play area for the little ones. The river runs alongside the site.

For mountain sports, the campsite works with the mountain sports office, which offers a 10% discount on rafting, hydrospeed, paragliding, horse riding, caving, canyoning, climbing and high mountain outings. The Pic de Ger and the La Hosse nature reserve are mentioned for walking, and two animal parks, the Repaire des Huskys and the Aigles d’Aure, appeal to children.

Four ski resorts are close by, Val-Louron, Peyragudes, Saint-Lary and Piau-Engaly, and Spain can be reached through the Bielsa tunnel, 35 km from the campsite.